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Israel Concerned U.S. Backing Down from Assurances
(Jerusalem Post) Herb Keinon - Senior Israeli diplomatic officials said Wednesday the U.S. is "watering down" assurances President Bush gave Prime Minister Sharon, less than a week after the two met in Washington. The officials said that Secretary of State Powell in recent days has played down Bush's ideas about the shape of the final status deal, and rather highlighted that any changes must be agreed upon by both sides. U.S. officials say these comments are necessary to calm down the Arab world and the U.S.'s European allies concerned that the U.S. has dramatically shifted its Mideast policy, but Jerusalem is concerned that if the watering down continues, Bush's assurances will be robbed of any real significance. According to Israeli officials, the U.S. decision on what to emphasize has depended very much on the audience being addressed.